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what surgery did justin thomas have

Justin Thomas had microdiscectomy surgery on his lower back to address a herniated/bulging disc that was causing hip and back pain.

What Surgery Did Justin Thomas Have?

Quick Scoop

  • Justin Thomas underwent a microdiscectomy on his lower back.
  • The procedure removed part of a herniated/bulging disc that was pressing on a nerve and causing nagging hip and back pain, with some tingling and numbness down his leg.
  • The surgery took place in mid‑November 2025 at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.
  • He was sidelined for several months but has since been cleared to return and has started competing again.

What Exactly Is a Microdiscectomy?

A microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive spine surgery where a surgeon removes a small portion of a herniated disc that is pressing on a nerve root.

In Thomas’s case, this disc problem in his lower back was linked to hip pain, back pain, and nerve symptoms down his leg.

Key points:

  • Goal: relieve nerve pressure and pain while preserving most of the disc.
  • Typical symptoms before surgery: back/hip pain, radiating leg pain, tingling or numbness.
  • Similar procedure: it’s like the surgery Tiger Woods had for a comparable disc issue.

When Did It Happen and Why?

  • Timeline:
    1. Months of nagging hip and back pain in 2025.
2. Symptoms worsened, including tingling and numbness down his right leg and into his foot.

3. MRI revealed a disc problem in his lower back.

4. Surgery (microdiscectomy) on November 13, 2025, in New York.
  • Reason: the disc issue was impacting his daily comfort and his ability to swing freely and practice at a world‑class level, so surgical intervention was chosen after conservative measures weren’t enough.

Recovery and Comeback

Thomas shared that early recovery involved very strict limitations: no bending, lifting, or twisting for a period after surgery.

His days were structured around rest, walking, icing, and rehab-friendly routines while he slowly rebuilt strength.

Notable recovery milestones:

  1. November 2025: surgery and immediate downtime.
  1. By January: he began chipping and putting, then gradually added about 50 yards of swing speed/effort each week.
  1. February 2026: doctors fully cleared him for all golf activities, and he returned first in TGL (Atlanta Drive) and then scheduled a PGA Tour return (e.g., Arnold Palmer Invitational).

He has said he feels good, is largely pain‑free, and is focusing more on body management and staying healthy as he moves into the next phase of his career.

Forum & Trending Talk Angle

Online discussions and golf forums have zeroed in on a few angles around “what surgery did Justin Thomas have” and his comeback:

  • Long‑term impact:
    • Many fans compare his microdiscectomy to Tiger Woods’ back surgeries and wonder how it might affect Thomas’s longevity.
  • Swing changes:
    • Thomas has mentioned that past swing tweaks may have contributed to the issue, so people speculate whether he will subtly adjust his motion to ease pressure on his back.
  • Performance expectations:
    • Given he was still winning big events like the RBC Heritage before surgery, there’s optimism that a pain‑free version of him could be even more dangerous in contention.

Some fans frame it as a “modern golf reality”: if you swing hard enough, long enough, back surgery becomes almost a rite of passage.

SEO Bits (For Your Exact Query)

  • Focus phrase “what surgery did justin thomas have”:
    • Answer: a microdiscectomy on his lower back to treat a herniated/bulging disc causing hip and back pain.
  • “Latest news”:
    • As of early 2026, he has been cleared, has already teed it up again, and reports feeling good after rehab.
  • “Forum discussion” / “trending topic”:
    • Conversations center on his long‑term health, comparisons to other players with back surgery, and whether he can get back to major‑winning form.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.